Thank you for your input on the choice of figures for the Bush Funeral Train.
I hate to alter the cars and their values that might be dependent on being factory-original. Is being "Factory-original" as big a collector issue as it was 30 years ago? With people weathering and detailing their railroads, I see nicely weathered freight cars selling for more on Ebay, than the factory original cars.
It appears to be a matter of preference and appearance. I will paint the interior of the "Overland" Dining Car, add seat backs, and evaluate the appearance before removing the Lionel people.
Note: I did not add seat backs because they would be in the way if I decide to use an Excel Knife to cut the Lionel People off the seats. The people are held in place with a very tacky rubber cement-like glue. The residue needs to be scraped off the seat before painting. Also, the vertical supports under the tables have been cut away by the factory to create leg room for the Lionel figures, which would never even touch the table bracing. Now the tables tilt down/inward. Some left over plastic was still hanging under the table tops and needed to be removed.
The plastic seat backs are painted and will be cut in the jig I made. Then I will glue them in place.
Thank you again for your input.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
